Reminiscing The year

As I sit here pondering over the year of 2022, I would have to say we had a very blessed year. There have been trying times as well, but the blessings far outweigh the momentary troubles. Pictured above is my husband and me holding our adorable, first grandson. Those of you who have grandkids know the immeasurable joy we are feeling at this very moment.

In April, we were blessed to be able to travel to Boston, Massachusetts to watch my oldest son run the Boston Marathon and finish in the top 5% of the runners. My son should never have been able to run that marathon. You see, when he was 13 years old, a virus attacked his heart and he was told he would never be able to play sports or run again. We were heartbroken but thankful he was alive. But my son had an incredible amount of faith and he told us that he will play sports again. We just faintly smiled and nodded our heads to him. A year after his diagnosis there was a 5k race here in town. Now, remember, my son is not allowed to get his heart rate up. He decided to enter the race (never running before) and finishing in under 20 minutes. Needless to say, he was healed by God and recruited to run on the high school cross country team. We have doctor proof of his healed heart. He went on to become district champion 2 years in a row and now wins marathons.

We could very easily have allowed our debilitating fear to envelop us like a rogue wave and never allow our son to live out his faith and belief that God was going to heal him. But we knew in our hearts that God had something powerful in store for him. God gets all of the glory for every race that is won. Aaron knows that he isn’t running in his own strength. It is God giving him the strength and endurance to run.

This is a picture of my parents with my 102 year old grandma. I am so blessed to still be able to have her here. She has dementia now, but still remembers me. I have learned how to trust God, pray and worship from my grandma. She still loves to sing. May God bless her with peace of mind and health this year.

And lastly, I am blessed to have my beautiful family. My youngest son is graduating high school this year. I have homeschooled him 10 of the 12 years and I am beginning to wonder what I am going to do with my self when this season of life is passed. He is the child I travailed for in prayer when the doctors said I would never be able to conceive again. The years have gone by so quickly. It has been such a joy to watch him grow.

I don’t know what your year has looked like or what you may be going through, but know that I am praying for you. God is working everything out for your good. It may be hard right now, but your breakthrough is coming. As the words of the beautiful song, “In Jesus Name” (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole says:

I pray for your healing, That circumstances would change, I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus Name, I pray that a breakthrough would happen today, I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name. I pray for revival, For restoration of faith, I pray that the dead will come alive in Jesus name.

May God give you joy as we end this year and zeal and excitement as we enter 2023. As you keep your focus fixed on our beautiful Jesus, may you find joy in today.